28 Best Yes Songs
Contents
10. “The Gates Of Delirium” by Yes
Song Year: 1974
Famously inspired by Tolstoy’s War And Peace, “The Gates Of Delirium” manages almost to be as long. At almost 22 minutes long, this track spans the entire first side of its vinyl release.
Performed in its entirety live for a tour, Alan White has described the track as the most challenging piece in Yes’s discography. Requiring precision, energy, and a world of stamina, it’s a track that likely can’t be topped.
However, it’s a difficult sell for people that don’t have nearly half an hour to listen to a single song. Still, the song is a mammoth track that brings unique ideas to bear that you won’t find anywhere else.
11. “Long Distance Runaround” by Yes
Song Year: 1971
“Long Distance Runaround” is one of Yes’s shorter songs. Considered one of Fragile’s top tracks, the band’s complex sound is an allegory for religious confusion.
Bringing the religious influence to bear in the track, Anderson describes the track as a search for the sound of God. Appearing in their live setlists regularly remains a staple of the band’s discography.
12. “Sound Chaser” by Yes
Song Year: 1974
Speaking of chasing sound, “Sound Chaser” is a frantic and intense track. This track is one of improv, with instrumentalist Patrick Moraz saying he had instantly composed the opening after being tasked with it in his introduction to the band.
This track also stretches Alan White’s abilities to their peak. Complex instrumentation and mind-boggling composition make this track a challenging introduction but an impressive show-stopper.
13. “Turn Of The Century” by Yes
Song Year: 1977
Considered a peak of unity between music and lyrics, “Turn of the Century” is one of few cases where the band worked cohesively. With line-up changes and tension between the members, songs often fell to Anderson. Here, Anderson, Howe, and White all wrote together.
Following a sculptor who falls in love with his work, the song is mystical and strange. The concept is as complex as the instrumentation here.
14. “The Revealing Science Of God (Dance Of Dawn)” by Yes
Song Year: 1973
Bringing religion back into the mix, Tales From Topographic Oceans comes through as a double album. “The Revealing Science Of God” takes up the entire first side of the first half.
Written as a reaction to Roundabout’s success, the band thinks of their sudden fame. Looking at their now-global reach, the band both celebrates and mourns.
15. “Perpetual Change” by Yes
Song Year: 1971
“Perpetual Change” is a band that many have used to typify Yes. With many believing it relates to the band’s constantly-changing line-up, hundreds of articles use this song for a title.
Replacing several band members for a handful of years led to the member’s relationships to strain. The band found a surge of stress and success combined with multiple other factors. Meditating on the nature of the universe and humanity’s place within, religious spirituality returns.
16. “Going For The One” by Yes
Song Year: 1977
Landing at the halfway point is one of Yes’s most accessible songs. “Going For The One” is a song most would consider less proggy than the rest of their discography.
That isn’t to say it’s simple or off-genre. There’s still a staggering amount of complexity to this opening track. Synthesizer leads, and incredible harmonies ensure you still know you’re listening to Yes.
Still, there’s just enough to set this track apart from the rest of their discography. It’s a great track, but one that’s decidedly different from the band’s usual routine.
17. “South Side Of The Sky” by Yes
Song Year: 1971
Keeping the theme of being “un-Yes” is one of their heaviest tracks. “South Side Of The Sky” brings heavy instrumentation reminiscent of Led Zeppelin. The eight-minute track off of Fragile is enough to remind you that Yes is more than technical perfection (though there’s plenty of that to go around).
This track focuses on climbing mountains, metaphorically and literally. As heavy as it is inspiring, “South Side Of The Sky” shows a rarely-seen side of Yes.
18. “Awaken” by Yes
Song Year: 1977
1977’s Going For The One is an album some classic fans consider a final creative stamp from the “Mark IV” line-up. The 15-minute closing track “Awaken” is one of the core reasons for that belief.
With a hymnal quality to the song and church organ solos, the band’s instrumental creativity shines here. It’s a stunning track that’s difficult to understate. You’ll have to hear this one to truly understand how well the band performs on the iconic track.
19. “Onward” by Yes
Song Year: 1978
Yes fans are rolling their eyes to see us, including “Onward.” Even Yes themselves aren’t fans of their ninth studio album, Tormato. Anderson is famously quoted as saying they were already crucifying themselves for the album before fans voiced discontent.
Still, that isn’t to say there’s nothing salvageable on the album. Plenty of Yes fans were happy with Tormato, and songs like “Onward” are what give it that redemption. With orchestral arrangements and the vibe of a quiet ballad, many consider this track the best off of Tormato.
You have no idea what you’re talking about. You have dates wrong. You obviously haven’t heard Jon Anderson explain the origins and meaning of Close to the Edge.
Any song with the 1970s lineup is far superior to anything the 1980s group produced.
CTTE at #5? Are you nuts? Ask any true Yes fan what their pick for finest Yes song is, and 99% of them will say CTTE.
Stick to current pop music, or better yet, keep your opinions to yourself.
Can’t believe you haven’t included “Wonderous Stories ” one of the best tracks you’ll hear anywhere.
Not even close in my opinion.
Interesting list. I wouldn’t have included anything from 90125, but I’d have a few from Yes and Time and a Word; Sweet Dreams, Survival, No Opportunity etc. And I don’t get all the negatively about Tomato – it’s brilliant, not a bad track on it. They never did anything as good again.
Many great songs to choose from, but hard to conceive that Starship Trooper is not in the top 3, let alone missing from the list.